Panthers Make Desperate Move After Disastrous Derrick Brown Injury

The Panthers announced a roster move following a disastrous, season-ending injury to star DT Derrick Brown. They've signed former Lions DE Charles Harris, hoping to provide some juice to a suddenly lifeless defensive line.

Carolina once again looked like the NFL's worst team in an embarrassing Week 1 loss to the Saints. Harris was once a productive pass-rusher, just a few years removed from a 7.5-sack season in 2021.

Nonetheless, this move does feel desperate. Harris is a good signing, but he only had to be acquired because the leader of the defense won't be back for the rest of the campaign.

Panthers Sign DE Charles Harris After Losing DT Derrick Brown

Originally a first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2017 NFL Draft, Harris never developed beyond being a rotational lineman. He appeared in 41 games for the Dolphins over three years but notched only 3.5 sacks, never earning a starting role.

During 2021 with the Lions, Harris started 14 games and put up the best numbers of his career, finishing with the aforementioned 7.5 sacks along with 65 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles. He should help the Panthers' defense, but at this point it's fair to question if he has anything left in the tank.

Carolina's 2024 outlook is suddenly grim, with no Brown and a defense that just let Derek Carr and the Saints drop nearly 50 points. New head coach Dave Canales faces a difficult test, and the organization's focus should be on staying in games enough to get a true evaluation of 2023 first-round QB Bryce Young.

Harris represents a bandaid, not a true fix. That being said, he'll get an opportunity to earn one last contract in the league if he can produce. The Panthers are desperate and want to exhaust every possible resource to avoid another lost 2-15 season.

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